WASHINGTON –  Former Governor Jerry Brown testified before Congress Tuesday, denouncing the Trump administration's plans to roll back gas emissions standards. 

"This is not just another legislative game here,” said Brown. “This is life and death stuff. And climate change is related to the fires in California. California is burning while the deniers make a joke out of the standards that protect us all."

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Brown made it clear he believes the raging California wildfires are spreading quickly in part due to climate change.

But there was a chance Brown wouldn’t have been able to speak at all. At the start of the hearing, Republicans motioned to end the hearing before it even really started. It was something the chairman for the subcommittee, Harley Rouda of California, said was disrespectful and “disingenuous.” 

But Republicans said it was unfair House Democrats scheduled any hearing while the impeachment inquiry depositions were ongoing.

The former California governor was not buying that explanation, siding with Rouda who called it a “political stunt.”

“Because what it represents is, interesting political games,” said Brown. “As opposed to the very profound challenge of climate change. This is not a game, it’s not politics. It’s the future of humanity.”

Rouda claimed to be waiting for an office clerk and staff member to call the member’s roll, but finally called for a vote when enough Democratic members were present to vote in the majority. The hearing was supposed to start at 10 a.m. and ended up starting closer to 10:45 a.m. after committee members finally took a vote and proceeded with the hearing. 

For the hearing, Brown made several points clear, notably that California’s ability to set greenhouse gas emission standards for new cars could save lives and on the same token, if they are taken away, people could die. 

He also made a point to say California wildfires are spreading and getting worse because of climate change. 

“By increasing the temperature, dries out the trees and the vegetation and creates a tinder box that explodes and spreads the fires in a far more devastating way,” said Brown. 

But Republicans echoed the president, saying one state should not set standards for the nation and that the president’s plan can help create jobs and lower the cost of cars. 

Brown says if not this day, he believes Republicans will soon see the truths behind the science and start fighting climate change alongside Democrats. 

“It’s going to take years and trillions of dollars and political will and the Republicans will get on board,” said Brown. “Whether it's two years, five years, or 10 years, if the party is going to continue they will get on the side of climate science, not air propaganda and profit.”

Brown said the world needs to see new changes regarding climate change, including better forest management. He said it will be a costly journey and that this fight isn’t for him, even going as far as to say he would be dead by the time climate change ruins the planet; and that the fight is for the children.